Where Did the Slow Jams Go? 112 on the Vanishing Love and Soul of R&B

The members of 112 have solidified their place as one of R&B’s most legendary and impactful groups, redefining the genre with a distinctive fusion of unfiltered emotion, soulful harmonies, and unforgettable storytelling. As the landscape of music continues to evolve, so has the sound of R&B, leaving many to question whether the essence of the genre, the very love and soul that groups like 112 helped shape, is fading away.

The last decade has been challenging for timeless R&B enthusiasts. As rap has soared to new levels of prominence, many fans believe R&B has steadily declined, both in terms of popularity and overall quality.

The numbers paint a sobering picture. Back in 2004, a staggering 80% of songs that ruled the R&B charts also claimed the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, a golden era when R&B dominated mainstream radio. Fast forward to 2024, and that crossover success has plummeted to just 27%. Even more telling, MRC Data’s 2021 Year-End Report revealed that R&B accounted for less than 10% of total U.S. music consumption.

These trends have not gone unnoticed by 112, as they explain to BLEU that the decline of classic R&B is due to changes in societal and audience tastes, as well as evolving industry trends that have reshaped the genre’s identity. According to 112, the biggest challenge is the lack of love in the air, as it’s difficult to create love songs for a generation that isn’t actively seeking them.

“It’s emblematic of the times,” Michael Keith tells BLEU. “When they created grunge, it was a response to the political climate of its era, and similarly, what’s happening now mirrors our current societal situation. Romance is unfortunately out the door. The idea of a slow-burn and yearning for love can’t work when everything is so readily available.”

Romance, once a space for deep connection and emotional vulnerability, is increasingly overshadowed by a culture of instant gratification. In the rush for physical pleasure, society has lost sight of the intimacy with hookup culture eroding the patience and commitment needed to nurture something long-lasting.

“The younger generation needs it right now,” adds Keith. “What are we doing, and where are we doing it, but once you get all of that, now what? Right now, this world feels so empty. We need more love out there, man."

The lyrics of today's R&B music have become increasingly blunt and explicit, stripping away the subtlety and emotional nuance that once characterized the genre. Old school artists found pleasure in crafting their words with care, hinting at desire or heartbreak through metaphor and innuendo, while contemporary tracks often don’t beat around the bush. This shift has caused a transformation from a space for vulnerable yet respectful emotional expression, to one of extreme sexualization and casualness.

"The key is to be suggestive, not subjective—letting you interpret what it really is—because when you're bold and direct without maintaining a respectful boundary, you lose some of the artistry", says Slim.

Keith adds, "We were slick and tactful with our lyrical content—think of our song ‘Peaches and Cream’ or even ‘Brown Sugar’ by D'Angelo. We implied things, but we had enough respect not to just downright say it. Even when we were young and on the less romantic, more wild side, we still never went all the way there. We had the perfect balance for the romantics and the players."

Despite this being a massive factor, 112 believes fading romance isn't the only problem. In today’s fast-paced entertainment industry, success is often measured by rapid adaptation and the ability to maintain relevance. The group asserts that the digital age has transformed the way music is consumed, making longevity in the industry more difficult than ever.

With streaming platforms favoring quick-hit singles over full-length albums and social media rewarding virality over artistry, this results in a lack of the emotional depth and vulnerability that once defined R&B.

“When you look at the sports world, even the greatest player can take 7 or 8 years to master the system,” says Slim. “But now with artists, they don’t have that timely luxury—they have to figure it out fast, or it’s a flop, and they’re onto the next. This makes it difficult for the real soulful musicians to stick, as opposed to those who just have internet fame.”

As we talked about the major shifts in R&B, the loss of groups was another issue that became impossible to ignore. In the ‘90s and early 2000s, the genre thrived on chart-leading boy bands such as Boyz II Men, Jodeci, Dru Hill, Jagged Edge, and, of course, 112.

Their chemistry and vocal layering gave R&B a richness that solo acts often couldn’t replicate.Yet today, the magic of a collective voice and multiple singers blending together to tell a love story has faded into the background.“The problem is it takes an awful lot to move a group and on top of that everyone is a little greedy now,” says Keith. These new generation artists only want what they want and with a group dynamic there needs to be a give and take in order to have the better outcome.”

Slim adds, “Talent is 20 percent of it all. The other 80 percent is feeding into a dynamic where you work hard together to build a strong bond and develop into something great. From what I see, a lot of artists aren't willing to do that now.”

Despite R&B’s current unpredictability, 112 firmly believes the genre will find its way back, just now isn’t the right time.

“When the time does come around for them to come back they'll probably need us to put it together. We gotta really develop them, put them together, and get their minds right,” says Slim. Keith added, “Music is cyclical. Similar to fashion, trends come and go. Classic R&B will come back around when the world is ready for it.”